To simulate passive attacks using OPNET that has includes making a situation in which an attacker node observes or intercepts the network traffic without meddling natively or changing the information. Passive attacks projects concentrate on eavesdropping, traffic analysis, and data accumulating instead of direct manipulation. While OPNET doesn’t directly support advanced eavesdropping aspects then we can able to configure a situation in which an attacker node is set up monitoring the traffic flows and collect data insights.
Following is a simplest instruction to replicate the passive attacks like traffic analysis and eavesdropping, in OPNET:
Steps to Simulate Passive Attacks Projects in OPNET
- Set Up OPNET Environment
- Make a new project then name it something relevant such as “Passive Attack Simulation” in OPNET Modeler.
- We can configure the workspace that related the network set up we need to examine like LAN, WAN.
- Design Network Topology
- Make a network topology, which comprises of:
- Servers and clients (workstations) to signify the legitimate network users.
- Routers or switches for network connectivity.
- Attacker node located in a way, which permits it monitoring network traffic.
- Utilize proper links such as wired or wireless, link these devices replicating a realistic network configuration.
- Set Up Legitimate Network Traffic
- Set up legitimate application traffic mimicking normal network activity. Go to the Application Configuration, configure applications like:
- HTTP or HTTPS for web browsing.
- FTP for file transfer.
- Email (SMTP, IMAP, POP3) for email interactions.
- VoIP for real-time voice communications.
- In Profile Configuration, designate the traffic profiles to clients and servers making realistic traffic patterns. This configuration permits to monitor how the attacker node accumulates the data regarding regular traffic.
- Position the Attacker Node for Passive Observation
- Locate the attacker node at a shared network segment or close sufficient observing the traffic. Based on the network set up, we place it in the below given ways:
- Same Network Segment: Locate the attacker node at the similar subnet like target devices on a LAN monitoring the traffic flowing in that segment.
- Router Gateway: Position the attacker node among the network segments or close a router observing all traffic traversing the gateway.
- Wi-Fi Proximity: Place the attacker node in the range of target devices to seize broadcasted traffic in a wireless network.
- Configure the Attacker Node for Traffic Analysis
- Now, we configure the attacker node to observe inactively and seize information without transmitting or changing any packets. Set up the attacker accumulating data in the following way:
- Source and Destination IPs: Monitor IP addresses knowing the network relationships and to detect crucial interaction endpoints.
- Packet Sizes and Timing: Log packet sizes and arrival times examining application usage and network load patterns.
- Protocol Types: Observe the kind of protocols that are utilized like HTTP, FTP, VoIP to detect the applications executing at the network.
- If available, allow promiscuous mode at the attacker node thus it can be seized traffic not labelled directly to it (it is significant for eavesdropping or sniffing on LAN segments).
- Enable Data Collection for Passive Metrics
- Configure passive metrics, which offer insights into traffic patterns that the attacker node could monitor within a passive attack:
- Throughput: Assess the number of data that are traversed in diverse network segments monitoring where most traffic is focused.
- Source-Destination Pairs: Monitor interaction among the sets of IP addresses detecting often interacting devices.
- Protocol Distribution: Seize statistics at protocol usage like rate of HTTP vs. FTP traffic to know the application types and priorities.
- Timing Analysis: We observe the inter-packet intervals and session times that can be exposed user activity patterns or identified the periodic interaction.
- Run the Simulation
- Now, we can execute the simulation in OPNET to permit the attacker node observing inactively traffic without communicating with it.
- OPNET will be replicated the regular traffic flows among the clients and servers, and the attacker node will seize network characteristics since if executing surveillance.
- Analyze Results
- Replicate the insights acquired by a passive attacker utilizing OPNET’s analysis tools:
- Traffic Volume and Patterns: Monitor the traffic volume among diverse segments and devices that exposes high-usage periods and potential target nodes.
- Protocol Breakdown: Examine the protocol types that are delivered to know the kinds of services are most often utilized.
- Source-Destination Relationships: We can detect which devices interaction mostly, to provide insights toward the critical network infrastructure or high-value targets.
- Timing and Packet Size Patterns: Focus on timing and packet size to know the user behavior patterns, to expose the application usage and activity schedules potentially.
- Experiment with Different Network Conditions
- Replicate diverse network conditions monitoring how the passive attacker might employ these insights:
- Peak Usage Times: During peak hours, maximize the traffic volume otherwise append additional users to monitor if the attacker can be identified shifts within the network activity.
- Periodic Traffic: Set up regular and automated interaction like scheduled backups or updates monitoring if these patterns are differentiable to the attacker.
- Modify the location of attacker node monitoring how diverse positions are affect the volume and type of data it can be monitored.
- Implement Countermeasures (Optional)
- Experiment the defenses versus passive attacks by executing the methods, which minimize the eavesdropping’s risk:
- Encryption: For traffic, set up HTTPS, SSH, or VPN avoiding the attacker from accessing readable information. Even though the attacker may even monitor the metadata like IP addresses, packet sizes, and encryption avoids the access to content.
- Network Segmentation: Separate the traffic, to restrict the ability of attacker from numerous segments to seize traffic utilizing VLANs or subnetting.
- Traffic Pattern Obfuscation: Launch the arbitrary delays or padding within packet sizes to cover the timing and size patterns to create the traffic analysis harder.
Throughout this manual, we can completely concentrate on how to simulate and implement the Passive Attacks projects with the help of OPNET platform. We provided these simulation methods and concepts codes for your references.phdprime.com will be your trusted partner to get your simulation done so drop us a message to we provide a multitude of advantages tailored to your needs. Additionally, you have the opportunity to utilize our online services, where we support you in exploring research topics within your area of interest
